[Review] Lenovo Pocket Projector – Big things come in small packages

Performance, Battery Life & Conclusion
Getting it set up took quite a few steps. Someone who isn’t tech savvy may likely stumble here in getting their device paired up with the projector. The onus here is that the streaming device and the projector have to be running off the same Wi-Fi hotspot. To set the Pocket Projector up, you’ll have to turn on the projector’s built-in Wi-Fi, connect a device to it and go to a specific IP address to input your own active Wi-Fi hotspot’s address and password before disconnecting and then hooking up to said Wi-Fi. That’s quite a few hoops to jump through though you’ll only have to do this once unless you switch Wi-Fi hotspots. Other options to cast content include AirPlay, DLNA Miracast or via the microSD card slot. Essentially, you’re able to stream content off an Android or iOS device or from a Windows PC or Mac.

As a pocket pico projector, the Lenovo Pocket Projector prioritises portability and while it’s darned easy to haul around in lieu of a desktop sized offering, it still trades off a bit on image quality. The dim 50 lumen bulb means it works best after sundown or in a dark room. Adjusting and getting the image right was a relatively simple task by tweaking the focusing ring and adjusting the projector arm. Even with the projector boom pointed straight up, the device was very stable. One particular bonus of note is that the device has it’s own built-in speakers. They’re not loud enough to fill a room with sound but they’re sufficient for a presentation or two if everyone keeps their voices and the fidgeting to a minimum. The speaker isn’t going to do justice to a movie much less a music video so it’s strictly for business.

One particularly useful manner that the Pocket Projector comes in handy is to enjoy content lying down in bed. With the provision of a curtain-darkened room, some judicious adjustments by angling the projector straight up and Claire Dane’s circa 2007 magnum opus Stardust playing, we managed to create our own opulent in-bed movie experience sans the popcorn and soda. 

The built-in 5,400mAh battery lasts about 2.5 hours on a single charge and is enough to last the length of a modest feature movie or a presentation but not something epic like Titanic or Avatar. All in, the Lenovo Pocket Projector is not the most powerful or the best performer out there but if you need something portable to display content for a small audience for short bouts of a couple of hours at a time, this will hold you in good stead.


WHAT WE LIKED Decent battery life, good performance for size, wireless pairing
WHAT WE DIDN’T Finish is a dust and fingerprint magnet, a chore to set up
WE SAY This compact pocket projector isn’t going to be the cornerstone of your home cinema experience but it should prove handy for work when you need to present something to a small crowd

Specifications
Price RM1099
Processor Cortex-A9 1.2GHz, single core
Throw distance 37-inch@ 1M | 76-inches@2M | 110-inches@3M
Storage MicroSD (maximum 32GB)
Speakers 2 x 1W
Inputs Micro USB, microSD card, 3.5mm audio jack
Connectivity 802.11 a/b/g/n wi-fi
Battery 5400mAh, 3 hours (quoted)
Size/Weight 120 x 110 x 29.5mm/ 180g
*Review unit courtesy of Lenovo Malaysia